The Battle of the Saintes, also known as the Battle of Dominica, was an important naval battle in the Caribbean between the British and the French that took place 9–12 April 1782. The British victory was considered their greatest over the French during the American Revolutionary War.
Sceptre was a 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy. Built under the Ancien Régime, she took part in the naval operations in the American Revolutionary War. At the Revolution, she took part in the main actions of the French Revolutionary Wars, notably the so-called Glorious First of June and in Bruix' expedition of 1799. Showing her age by the rise of the First French Empire, she was hulked and eventually broken up.
Neptune was a 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy.
The Zélé was a 74-gun ship of the line of the French Royal Navy. She was funded by a don des vaisseaux donation from the Régisseur général des finances.
César was a 74-gun ship of the French Navy. Ordered in the spring of 1767 from the Toulon shipyard, she was launched on 3 August 1768. César saw service in the American War of Independence, during which she was destroyed in the Battle of the Saintes.
Hector was a 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy, lead ship of her class. Hector was launched in 1755 and fought in the American Revolutionary War during which she captured two ships of the British Royal Navy on 14 August 1778. In 1782, the ship was captured by the Royal Navy at the Battle of the Saintes in 1782. Taken into service by the Royal Navy, the vessel was renamed HMS Hector. On 5 September 1782. HMS Hector fought two French frigates. Severely damaged during the battle, and by a hurricane that followed later in September, Hector sank on 4 October 1782.
Palmier was a 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy.
François Hector d’Albert, comte de Rioms or Rions was a French Navy officer. He served in the War of American Independence, earning a membership in the Society of Cincinnati.
Sagittaire was a 50-gun ship of the line of the French Navy.
Destin was a 74-gun ship of the French Navy.
Antoine Cresp de Saint-Césaire was a French Navy officer. He served in the War of American Independence.
Armand Le Gardeur de Tilly was a French Navy officer. He served in the War of American Independence.
Joseph-Bernard de Chabert-Cogolin was a French Navy officer. He served in the War of American Independence.
Pierre René Marie de Vaugiraud de Rosnay was a French Navy officer. He served in the War of American Independence, earning membership in the Society of the Cincinnati. He was later a virulent Royalist and counter-Revolutionary.
François-Aymar de Monteil was a French Navy officer. He served in the War of American Independence, earning membership in the Society of the Cincinnati. He was also a member and director of the Académie de Marine.
Actionnaire was a 64-gun ship of the line of the French Navy. Originally built for the French East India Company, she was purchased by the Navy and saw service during the War of American Independence.
Zodiaque was a 74-gun Diadème-class ship of the line of the French Navy.
Hippolyte-Augustin de Sade de Vaudronne was a French Navy officer. He served during the War of American Independence.
Armand-Claude Poute de Nieuil was a French Navy officer. He served during the War of American Independence.
Antoine Hilarion de Beausset was a French Navy officer. He notably served during the War of American Independence.